Sir Trevor Nunn, the National's Artistic Director, issued a brief statement: "It is rare that great charismatic talent and selfless warm generosity are found in the same person, but this was so with Jimmy Hazeldine. A leading actor of minutely observed truthfulness, comic brio and emotional daring, he was also a man of infectious enthusiasm, great warmth and humanity who was universally popular amongst his colleagues. The whole profession will be shocked and distressed by this news." Hazeldine's recent illness led to the cancellation of The Talking Cure's press night, and this was complicated by the fact that the actor who was to replace him — Bill Paterson — then withdrew from the production. The part of Freud will now be played by John Carlisle, while Ralph Fiennes will play Jung.